Ascension Parish Council in the state of Louisiana is to vote on a proposal by Ascension Sewer on the project of the regional consolidated sewer system for the East Bank of Ascension Parish.

The project involves developing, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of wastewater collection treatment facilities and services.

Ascension Sewer has developed a comprehensive proposal which was presented as a Construction and Operating Agreement between Ascension Consolidated Utility District #2 (ACUD #2) and Ascension Sewer which offers the Parish the ability to retain ownership and ultimate control of the existing and new sewer system as a public asset - this is not a sale or privatization. As a public utility, the Parish would also retain oversight of performance and rate-making authority. Ascension Sewer would receive revenues from system operations over a 30-year timeframe.

Ascension Sewer would be responsible for all operating expenses and capital investment, and would execute the plan for the first phase for building the connections to a new water treatment plant located near the Mississippi River in the northwest portion of the Parish at a cost of more than US$ 215 million, providing coverage to nearly 19,500 customers and significantly reducing flows into Bayou Manchac.

The final plan includes a detailed cost and rate structure, as well as wastewater treatment plant and system construction plans. This proposal has been independently evaluated by Ernst and Young and fully vetted by Parish leadership.

Ascension Sewer team includes Ascension Wastewater Treatment, GSA Consulting Engineers, Hartman Engineering and Bernhard Capital Partners.